England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson says his players should go into this year's World Cup in Germany fearing no-one. He celebrates five years in charge of the national team on Thursday and says they have learned valuable lessons from the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004.
"We are much better today than in 2001 and I have much more experience of international football today," Eriksson told the Football Association website.
"The players know we can beat anyone and we are not afraid of anyone."
Eriksson has seen England's rugby and cricket players enjoy stunning success since he took over the fortunes of the country's football side.
The Swede knows that if he can mastermind a World Cup triumph the country will go wild with celebration.
"All our players saw what happened when England won the 2003 rugby World Cup," he added.
"The team went to Trafalgar Square and hundreds of thousands of people came to cheer them.
"This country will go mad - beautifully mad - if we win the 2006 World Cup."
Eriksson came under severe pressure when England lost to Northern Ireland in September but he says he was never tempted to quit under the strain.
"I am proud to have my job. I have never wanted to resign, even after the Northern Ireland game - no chance," said the former Lazio coach.
"And now here we are knocking on the door of the World Cup, which is fantastic."
MMIX
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Match of the Day - Post-match interviews